The ECOWAS Parliament has kicked off a critical regional sensitization mission in Sierra Leone with a focus on the rising challenges of substance abuse and mental health. The initiative began with a series of high-level engagements with key government ministries and institutions in Freetown.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the ECOWAS delegation was warmly received by the Director General and Ambassador-at-Large, who praised the Parliament’s leadership in addressing public health and social stability across the region. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s resilience in the face of past national emergencies including civil war, Ebola, and COVID-19, noting that regional collaboration is essential to counter emerging threats like substance abuse.
The visit to Sierra Leone’s Parliament underscored the severity of the drug crisis. The Speaker of Parliament described the spread of the synthetic drug known as “Kush” as a national emergency. He commended President Julius Maada Bio for the establishment of a Multi-agency National Task Force on Drug Control and Substance Abuse, while stressing the importance of legislative focus and regional cooperation in combating narcotics.
Officials from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) outlined operational challenges and stressed the need for increased funding and regional support. They urged the ECOWAS Parliament to champion institutional strengthening and policy reforms at the community level.
At the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Director of Mental Health addressed the psychosocial effects of substance abuse, calling for increased investment in rehabilitation and counseling programmes. The Ministry of Health echoed the urgency, advocating for harmonized regional policies and enhanced infrastructure for mental healthcare delivery.
The Ministry of Youth highlighted the growing impact of drug abuse on young people and called for broader psychosocial interventions, vocational training, and sustained community engagement to support at-risk populations.
Head of the ECOWAS Parliament Delegation reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to addressing these issues through evidence-based legislation, inter-agency collaboration, and grassroots advocacy. The mission is expected to continue with outreach to civil society organizations and a town hall engagement in Freetown.
